PREFACE.
In this Atlas it has been attempted to present in a graphic form, a concise yet comprehensive view of the Physical Geography of the Globe,embracing under that term its superficial structure, the movements of its oceanic and aerial currents, and the distribution of organized existenceon its surface.
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The importance and utility of this most interesting branch of knowledge, and the absence in this country of the necessary aids for its study, inducedthe Editor to undertake the supply of a felt desideratum by the production of a series of Maps and other illustrations of Natural Phenomena , consideredin their mutual relations and dependencies, on a scale worthy of the subject, and which, with descriptive letter-press, should be in keeping with therapid progress and marked development in every other branch of science at the present day. In pursuance of this design, the Editor visited theprincipal geographical establishments on the Continent of Europe in 1842, and on that occasion entered into copy-right arrangements with ProfessorBerghaus of Potsdam for the publication of a certain portion of his celebrated Physikalischer Atlas . Four sheets of that work, greatly extended andimproved, were appended to the “ National Atlas ” in 1843.
These were announced as specimens of a larger work to be immediately proceeded with, should such be demanded; and encouraged by theflattering manner in which they were received, and urged by solicitations for their continuance from many of the most influential scientific men of thisand other countries, the Editor was induced to commence the construction of a complete Physical Atlas. The five intervening years havebeen devoted, unremittingly, to the elaboration of materials previously collected, and to researches necessary for their due arrangement. Of thethirty Maps comprised in the Work, fifteen were designed by Professor Berghaus, and are now produced on an enlarged scale, with many additions.For the construction of the others the Editor is alone responsible; for although some of them were suggested by the Maps of Professor Berghaus,they are so different in construction, in extent of scale, and in amount of matter, as to constitute them in reality original works. This will at once beseen by comparing the corresponding subjects in the German and English publications.
In the letter-press descriptions, the Editor has endeavoured to present a careful synopsis, from original sources, of every subject treated of in theMaps, and he ventures to hope that this department of his labours will be found to embody a complete digest of Physical Geography ; but, in all cases,he has made constant reference to the best authorities for more extensive information.
The Atlas is arranged under the following heads:—
GEOLOGY.
HYDROLOGY.
METEOROLOGY.
PIIYTOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY.
Each division is adjusted and printed so as to be complete in itself, and, at the same time, a component part of the whole Work.
The Editor embraces this opportunity of expressing his deep obligations to the Baron Alexander von Humboldt , at whose suggestion the Work wasundertaken, on whose researches a large portion of its contents has been based, and who has repeatedly, during its progress, honoured it with hisapprobation. He has also to offer his acknowledgments to those gentlemen who have enriched the Volume with the valuable contributions to whichtheir names are appended, and to many other scientific and literary friends who have favoured him with encouragement and advice.